Music: Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
Having a boyfriend with a farming family, I have the tendency to get involved by attending events related to cows. And how pretty they are, haha. On the 6th of November, an important regional livestock farming event took place: the 'last market' in Druten, or Leste Mert.
I decided to document the cow market in particular; its visitors, the judging (which cow is the finest this year - it was one of ours, Connie) and the cows themselves, naturally. Here's a selection of photography that I've processed so far. A few more shots are on the way.
A few tidbits:
- We have 20 cows at the moment + 1 calf. We brought 11 cows with us to Druten. We won 5 prizes with our cows.
- Yes, the cows have shaved bums :P For show, it's best to shave cows in the areas where muscle development is most clearly seen. Their bums, necks, part of their backs and their legs are shaved. Just for show, and the cows are completely fine with it.
- These cows are Belgian White Blue cows, or 'dikbillen'. They're not milk cows.
- We have little ones on the way every year. The first of this season was born 5 weeks ago. The second calf unfortunately didn't make it. Several are to be born in December. Others not until June or July!
- Belgian White Blues cannot give birth naturally; it's always done by C-Section to protect mother and calf. (I am planning on photographing a birth, most likely in December.)
